Middle East

“Community Crypto” host Isaiah Jackson is joined by Fred Pye, CEO of 3iQ, the Middle East’s first bitcoin fund listed on Dubai’s Nasdaq, along with Dalma Capital Founder & CEO...

By CoinDesk Staff

Aug 6, 2021 at 8:03 p.m. UTC

Aug 6, 2021

BitcoincdtvCC Clip3iQFred PyeDubaiMiddle EastDalma CapitalZachary Cefaratti

Hamas Organizes A Demonstration Supporting Hezbollah

Policy

Israel

Israeli Seizure Order Shows Hamas Holds USDT, TRX, DOGE

The wallets, 84 in all, show the terrorist group has diversified its holdings far beyond bitcoin.

By Danny Nelson

Jul 7, 2021 at 7:58 p.m. UTC

Jul 7, 2021

IsraelMiddle EastTerrorist FinancingHamas

Policy

Exchanges

Shariah-Compliant Crypto Exchange Wins License From Bahrain Central Bank

Launching soon, CoinMENA said it will offer spot trading in five major cryptocurrencies.

By Tanzeel Akhtar

Jan 25, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. UTC

Jan 25, 2021

ExchangesMiddle EastRegulationBahrainShariahCoinFlash

Finance

Coinbase

Coinbase Joins $6M Funding Round for Licensed Middle-East Exchange Rain Financial

The $6 million Series A round was led by Middle-Eastern VC firm MEVP Capital.

By Tanzeel Akhtar

Jan 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. UTC

Jan 18, 2021

CoinbaseMiddle EastFunding RoundsCoinFlashRain Financial

Finance

Ripple

Ripple Opens Dubai HQ as Blockchain Firm Mulls Leaving US

The blockchain company's new Middle East and North Africa headquarters will be within the DIFC financial hub.

By Daniel Palmer

Nov 8, 2020 at 12:22 p.m. UTC

Nov 8, 2020

RippleMiddle EastDubaiCoinFlash

Ghass Mo is a Rust developer living in Iraq. (Ghass Mo)

Markets

Middle east

What It's Really Like to Live on Bitcoin in the Middle East

The story of a Syrian migrant in Iraq shows how bitcoin can work as intended – as a global currency that transcends borders.

By Leigh Cuen

Jul 14, 2020 at 5:25 p.m. UTC

Jul 14, 2020

Middle EastUnbankedBitcoin

Images of Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyid Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini adorn the walls of a Syrian market. (Leif Stenberg/Shutterstock)

Policy

Iran

The Truth About Bitcoin and Hezbollah in Lebanon

Will Hezbollah in Lebanon use bitcoin? The data suggests terror activity is uncommon despite surging crypto popularity across the Middle East.

By Leigh Cuen

Jun 17, 2020 at 5:55 p.m. UTC

Jun 17, 2020

IranLebanonMiddle EastTerrorismBitcoinSyriaHezbollah

Finance

Remittances

How Bitcoin Fits Into Lebanon’s Banking Crisis

Lebanon's crisis has been raging for years, but the devaluation of the Lebanese pound and a global downturn has made stable financial services even more urgent.

By Nate DiCamillo Leigh Cuen

Jun 5, 2020 at 4:50 p.m. UTC

Jun 5, 2020

RemittancesLebanonMiddle EastLocalBitcoinsPaxful